To say I'm excited for tonight's Melbourne Derby between Victory and Heart is an understatement. As someone who believed Melbourne needed two A-League clubs from the very start, I take great pleasure in the way this whole thing has developed.

Though only in its second year, this has the potential to be a classic football rivalry. I love the fact that it's red against blue, like so many other crosstown clashes. Obviously it will never be as big as the Merseyside derby or the Boca/River "Superclasico," but there's no question the Melbourne derby could easily be as big - or bigger - than MLS' so-called "Super Clasico," which features the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.

Last year, Heart was an unknown quantity. This year, they come into the Derby on a three-game winning streak and playing the sort of football the club promised when it initially hired John van't Schip. As for Victory, forget the "Melbourne Draw" jokes; last week's demolition of Wellington Phoenix showed that when the boys in blue put things together, they can be effective and entertaining.

The match has been announced as a sellout, which is great for the two clubs, the city of Melbourne and the A-League. The atmosphere should be electric, so as you head to the match (or even if you watch on Fox Sports or listen on the radio) keep in mind my list of derby do's and don't's:

Do recognise that this is already the A-League's best rivalry.

Don't let anyone - even friends who couldn't get tickets - convince you that derby matches should be played at Etihad Stadium. Anyone who believes that is just plain wrong. For one thing, AAMI is a much better place to watch football. With a capacity just under 30,000 there's more demand for tickets. I subscribe to the "leave ‘em wanting more" style of marketing, so to see fans (figuratively, of course) hanging from the rafters will be a great spectacle.

Do keep a close eye on how Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic deals with the absence of Billy Celeski, suspended for this match. Celeski has been in superb form, but his senseless second yellow against Wellington has forced Durakovic to change what's been a pretty solid recent lineup.

Don't heckle Harry Kewell. Ok, how about don't heckle Harry Kewell unmercifully? Even Heart fans should appreciate what Kewell has brought to the A-League, both on and off the pitch.

Do be thankful for the young talent on display. Heart's leading scorer is former Victory youngster Mate Dugandzic (22) and the club has just re-signed four others, Eli Babalj (19), Aziz Behich (21), Brendan Hamill (19) and Jason Hoffman (22). Victory defenders Matthew Foschini (21) and Petar Franjic (19) have been good all season and although Kiwi Marco Rojas (20) has seen limited playing time, he's a wonderful talent.

Don't arrive late to the match and complain about extreme traffic, bad parking or slow turnstiles. Get in early and soak up - or create - some atmosphere.

Do understand why some within the Melbourne Heart organisation feel "disrespected."

Don't forget that Victory has worked very hard to become the powerful club that it is.

Do appreciate the two goalkeepers. Heart's evergreen Clint Bolton has provided stability and leadership and tonight makes his 450th top-flight appearance in Australia. Victory's late signing Ante Covic has been - other than Archie Thompson - the club's most valuable player.

Don't let anyone in the media try to spin this match into an example of, "why the A-League has arrived" message. This is about football in Melbourne.

Do hope there's a radio station that does some Derby talkback after the match.

And finally...

Don't do anything stupid that will cause the Herald Sun to run a "Soccer Riot" headline on Saturday morning.

Ed Wyatt will call the derby on Aussie Digital radio and sen.com.au with former South Melbourne star David Clarkson.